Seventh Heaven

Being a younger Jimmy Stewart fan, I of course am prone to relish in his early works because of how dashing and handsome he was. Just like any other Jimmy Stewart film, you will not be disappointed and if you do not like the movie in all its entirety you will definitely find something that you did like to take with you. Seventh Heaven turned out to be exactly what I expected from the title. Simone Simon was beautiful and wonderful in her role and Jimmy Stewart was charming and endearing as always. It is true that this film is dated...it was made in 1936 but the message it carries of true love will remain timeless. It was very uplifting and if you are a Jimmy Stewart fan esp. of his romances from earlier years this is a great, seven star film to watch. It will give you a great dose of Jimmy Stewart and a good sprinkle of faith to believe that true love does indeed conquer all.

Seventh Heaven from 1937 is a remake of the popular film from 1927 starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell.

This time the roles of Chico and Diane are played by Jimmy Stewart, on loan to 20th Century Fox from MGM and Simone Simon.

I believe this role was intended for Tyrone Power, as he was a favorite of director Henry King and made a sort of splash with Simone in Girls Dormitory. Although he only had a cameo, one of the gossip columnists sat through the film twice to get his name.

I suspect Zanuck traded another actor with MGM.

It is France 1914. And let's get "Jimmy Stewart doesn't use a French accent" out of the way. They're in France, speaking French, perhaps with different dialects. They are not speaking English with a French accent.

Chico works in the sewers with ambition to become a street washer. He saves Diane from being arrested when the club she works in is cleared out by claiming she is his wife.

Now he's stuck because the police say they will check on them. So he brings Diane to his apartment which is seven flights up. It's a neat set - very open - a board outside his large window provides a walkway so that one can walk to the other apartments.

Chico and Diane fall in love and want to marry. However, on the day of their wedding, Chico receives a draft notice and must leave immediately. He promises Diane that he will be with her spiritually at 11 am daily.

Later, Diane is told that Chico is dead. She refuses to believe it.

This is a lovely film about the power of love, faith, courage, and miracles. Stewart is very boyish and funny. Simon is adorable. She returned to France to make films, but came back and was a huge hit in Cat People, reappearing as the same character in Curse of the Cat People. Ultimately she left the States for good. My mother told me she disappeared. No, she just went home to work.

Zanuck didn't have much luck with building up French actresses. He brought the French star Annabella over, only to have her fall in love with Tyrone Power. Zanuck then tried to send her back to break them up; when she wouldn't leave, he blacklisted her.

Good film, good cast.

Chico, a sewer worker in Paris rescues Diane, a prostitute, from the police. He not only offers his protection, but also his unending love. Diane, who up to that point had been abused by many people, suddenly realizes the love she receives from Chico lifts her from a dreary existence and helps her find her own voice.

Alas, war intervenes at the time the couple decides to get married. Chico, an avowed atheist, invents his own wedding vows as he and Diane exchange chains to wear around their necks instead of the customary ring. Both make a promise to chant their names and pretend they are in heaven at 11am each day. The ritual keeps them hoping for an eventual happy life together in peaceful times.

This 1937 release directed by Henry King, is seldom seen these days. The basic reason for watching it again is the sweet presence of Simone Simon and James Stewart. These two actors contributed to make the film much better than it should have been if played by others. Ms. Simon, one of the most beautiful faces in the French cinema, had a wonderful screen presence that works well opposite to the young and disarming James Stewart, at one of the best points of his budding career.

Others in the cast included Jean Hersholt, who appears as the priest that tries to convert Chico. This is the same actor whose name is synonymous with worthwhile causes within the film industry and who died much to young to continue his humanitarian work. Also, Gregory Ratoff, Gale Sondergaard, Sig Ruman and J. Edward Bromberg and the rest do great work in the film.

The copy shown on cable was not exactly the best, but as in other memorable films, what matters is the story and the great performances that Henry King got from everyone.

Watching this movie, I can't understand why Simone Simon didn't become a great star. In this movie she's luminous on a level with Ingrid Bergman & Audrey Hepburn. Watch the scene where Jimmy Stewart really look at her for the first time as she turns her face to his with the melody of 'Diane' playing softly; movie magic!

She made two other well-known movies: Cat People & Curse of the Cat People, then her career dwindled into nothingness. Perhaps if she'd had more charismatic co-stars like James Stewart to play off against. She should have been James Cagney's unrequited love in "The Roaring Twenties" instead of that insipid Priscilla Lane (or was it Rosemary Lane?)

James Stewart is superb as Chico. He's awkward, gruff, reluctant to get involved with other people yet his core decency compels him prevent Diane's mistreatment and stop her suicide attempt. Stewart was probably that way in real life. I don't agree that he's miscast or that he should have a French accent. There are people like that in all countries. It's not about France or French people. Any urban setting like London, Rome, New York etc. would have done equally well.

I found the character played by J. Edward Bromberg rather disturbing. He kept showing up to rain on Diane's parade with those strange eyes. I kept hoping Diane would give him a beating like she did to Gale Sonergaard.

This old romance takes place in Paris, with a fresh young star Simone Simon adding to the authenticity. It's not a very well known oldie, but if you like James Stewart and want to see him in one of his earlier dramas before he was typecast as George Bailey, check it out. Just don't pay attention to his lack of a French accent.

Jimmy plays a low-class street sweeper in Paris who wants to be highbrow. He just doesn't seem to get the right breaks (or arguably, his bad judgment keeps him stuck) and he never gets ahead. Even when he falls in love, he picks a girl as penniless and hopeless as he is. Simone gets in trouble with the police, and they don't have two sticks to rub together when they finally get married. They live in a leaky, crumbling apartment that's cold all the time. Will he end up kissing the banister, or will their troubles continue to get in the way of true love?

Surprisingly, my brother really liked this movie. He's seen more than his fair share of old movies, but given his druthers he would always rather watch a modern movie. He was impressed with Simone's talent and he liked seeing Jimmy in a darker role than he was used to.